HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum: Deportation

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent to date on detaining and deporting Isa Muazu.

Mark Harper: holding answer 9 December 2013
	We do not provide the costs of particular flights or of staff for reasons of commercial confidentiality.
	The Nigerian high commission in London and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja agreed to the removal of Mr Muazu, but the initial flight was forced to land in Malta, and then return to the UK, for operational reasons not connected to Mr Muazu's health or conduct.
	Mr Muazu has now been successfully returned to Nigeria.

Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration her Department is giving to the installation of a full sprinkler system in Campsfield House Immigration Centre in Oxfordshire following the recent fire there.

Mark Harper: holding answer 6 January 2014
	Following the recent fire at Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre installation of sprinklers will be included in the re-fit planned to complete in April 2014.

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 13 May 2013, Official Report, column 8W, on human trafficking, what methodologies will be employed by the new NRM hub to collect data on trafficking cases.

Mark Harper: The main source of data in UKVI is the Case Information Database (CID). Additionally, UKHTC are the official owners of all National Referral Mechanism (NRM) statistics which are published regularly and shared with UKVI on request.

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 13 May 2013, Official Report, column 8W, on human trafficking, what the operational relationship is between asylum case owners and NRM Hub officials.

James Brokenshire: Asylum decision makers will refer an individual to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) if indicators of trafficking are identified during the asylum interview. NRM Hub decision makers will then make the Reasonable Grounds decision on whether there are grounds to believe that the individual is a potential victim of trafficking. For positive Reasonable Grounds decisions on these cases the same NRM Hub decision maker will make the asylum decision.
	Negative Reasonable Grounds decisions on these cases will be returned to the referring UK Visas and Immigration asylum unit. A decision maker in that unit will then complete the asylum decision liaising with the NRM Hub as needed for advice on the trafficking element of the asylum claim.

Deportation: Offenders

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals deported under section 32 of the UK Borders Act 2007 sought to use Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights to appeal against their deportation in each year since the implementation of the Act.

Mark Harper: holding answer 10 December 2013
	Data on unsuccessful appeals against deportation are held only at the level of co-ordinated paper case files or within the notes section of the Case Information Database (CID). Such data are not aggregated in national reporting systems, which would mean this question could be answered only through a disproportionately expensive manual case search to collate the data.

Domestic Violence: Prosecutions

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the number of referrals from the police to the Crown Prosecution Service for domestic violence offences in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the number of referrals from the police to the Crown Prosecution Service for domestic violence offences.

Norman Baker: The Crown Prosecution Service's Violence Against Women and Girls Crime Report published in July 2013 showed that in 2012-13 over 88,110 domestic violence cases were forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police for charging decisions. The same report set out that the conviction rate for domestic violence has risen to 74.3%, reaching the highest ever recorded level.
	The Coalition Government is keen to ensure the police response is as effective as it can be.
	That is why the Home Office co-chaired a meeting with the former Director of Public Prosecutions in September with National Policing Leads to look at the trend in referrals. This has led to a six-point plan to increase the number of referrals from the police to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Entry Clearances: BRIC Countries

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visa applications from (a) China, (b) India and (c) Russia have been approved in each of the last three years.

Mark Harper: holding answer 6 January 2014
	Figures for the number of visas issued for applications from Chinese, Indian and Russian nationals in 2010, 2011 and 2012 appear in the following table:
	
		
			 Entry clearance visas issued to Chinese, Indian and Russian nationals, 2010 to 2012 
			  2010 2011 2012 
			 China 215,045 266,958 285,536 
			 India 420,013 407,762 380,479 
			 Russia 142,586 175,414 189,575 
			 Source: Immigration Statistics, July to September 2013, Table be_05 and be_05_q 
		
	
	Figures for 2013 are due to be published in February 2014.
	The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of visa applications issued by nationality in tables be_05 and be_05_q within the released Immigration Statistics. A copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics: July-September 2013, which includes these data, is available from the Library of the House and from Gov.uk at the following link:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-july-to-september-2013/immigration-statistics-july-to-september-2013#before-entry

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 13 May 2013, Official Report, column 8W, on human trafficking, what training will be provided to National Referral Mechanism Hub officials; and if she will make a statement.

Mark Harper: In the NRM Hub, all decision makers are trained in asylum/human rights and National Referral Mechanism (NRM) decision making. Asylum training is currently a five week course. Competent Authority decision makers attend a two day specialist training course. In addition to the initial mentoring of NRM decision makers, there is an ongoing quality and feedback mechanism, whereby all decisions are checked by an experienced SEO Hub Lead.

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham) of 13 May 2013, Official Report, column 8W, on human trafficking, whether National Referral Mechanism (NRM) Hub officials will be exclusively dedicated to working for the NRM Hub or whether they will undertake this work alongside other duties; and if she will make a statement.

Mark Harper: National Referral Mechanism (NRM) Hub caseworkers and staff will be working exclusively on NRM decision and associated asylum decision making.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to the Minister for Immigration dated 11 November 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr Olatunde Theophilus Aydola.

Mark Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 16 December 2013.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to the Minister for Immigration dated 15 November 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Miss Abeer Ejaz Butt.

Mark Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 16 December 2013.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to the Minister for Immigration dated 15 November 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr F.S. Dos Santus.

Mark Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 16 December 2013.

Offenders: Deportation

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to her answer of 29 October 2013, Official Report, column 422W, on offenders: deportation, what estimates were made by her Department of the likely numbers of foreign criminals who would be eligible for conditional caution to facilitate their removal from the UK.

Mark Harper: The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill Impact Assessment dated 14 November 2011 estimated that there would be a reduction in demand of around 250 prison places through individuals taking up foreign national offender conditional cautions.

Passports: Lost Property

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints her Department received about travel documents lost by (a) the UK Border Agency and (b) the UK Identity and Passport Service in each year since 2007.

Mark Harper: holding answer 28 November 2013
	The information requested from the former UK Border Agency and Her Majesty's Passport Office (formerly the Identity and Passport Service) is not held in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Police: Ethnic Groups

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she has taken with (a) London Metropolitan police and (b) other English constabularies to recruit police officers from black, Asian or ethnic minority groups.

Damian Green: Police forces must do more to ensure that they reflect the communities they serve as they continue to cut crime in a modern, diverse society.
	The College of Policing is engaged in a major programme of work looking at recruitment, retention and progression of BME officers. As part of that they will be looking at ways of ensuring the police can make more proactive use of the positive action provisions of the Equality Act 2010.
	The Government fully appreciates how vital a more representative work force is in the London context, given the great diversity of the capital. We are currently working with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to achieve this end.

Stop and Search: Ethnic Groups

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps she is taking to monitor the use of section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in respect of black, Asian or ethnic minority groups;
	(2)  how many people from a black, Asian or ethnic minority group have been stopped under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in each month since May 2010.

Damian Green: Police forces in England and Wales are required to collect data on the use of section 60 stop and search powers, which includes a breakdown by self-defined ethnicity. The monthly use of the section 60 power is not, however, available as police forces are required to collect only annual aggregate data. The latest figures for England and Wales, covering the years from 2009-10 to 2011-12, are in the following table.
	The police have a public duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that they do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, which includes ethnicity. The Act sets out the Equality and Human Rights Commission's role in monitoring forces' compliance with the law and also provides a range of enforcement powers to do so.
	
		
			  White Black or black British Asian or Asian British Mixed Chinese or other ethnic group Ethnicity not stated Vehicle-only searches Total s60 searches 
			 2009-10 47,879 39,364 19,137 5,228 1,426 6,605 334 119,973 
			 2010-11 19,571 23,283 12,420 2,772 1,032 3,266 85 62,429 
			 2011-12 16,231 16,790 7,831 2,244 763 3,012 90 46,961 
			 Note: Includes stops and searches conducted by British Transport Police (BTP). As BTP began to provide these data only from 2009-10, the above figures are not comparable with those in Table SS.01 of ‘Police Powers and Procedures England and Wales 2011/12'. The total for 2011-12 (46,961) does, however, agree with the England and Wales total in Tables SS.05 and SS.08.

Tickets: Fraud

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department made of the Operation Podium report on domain service providers.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 6 January 2014
	The Home Office is considering the recommendations of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Operation Podium report (Ticket Crime: Problem Profile) and will be consulting the Metropolitan police and the National Crime Agency.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Fraud

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many Serious Fraud Office investigations are under way relating to each of the (a) banking, (b) pharmaceuticals and (c) energy sectors.

Oliver Heald: It is not possible to provide information to this level of detail because of the need to protect individuals and the risk of prejudicing investigations.

Road Traffic Offences

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Attorney-General what assessment the CPS has made of the potential benefits of making evidence of road traffic offences from dashboard cameras permissible in court.

Oliver Heald: The CPS has made no general assessment of the potential benefits of the use of evidence from dashboard cameras in court. The use of such evidence is subject to the ordinary rules of evidence and the CPS will consider adducing such material in appropriate cases. Dashboard cameras are installed in many police vehicles and can be a valuable source of prosecution evidence.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Consumers: Protection

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  if he will re-examine consumer protection law in terms of companies which have gone into administration that have received full payment for goods whilst not releasing those goods;
	(2)  if he will re-examine consumer protection law in order to ensure that if a business receives full payment for advertised goods and is in the process of entering administration then that consumer will either receive their goods or a full refund irrespective of method of payment used.

Jennifer Willott: The Insolvency Act 1986 sets out a clear order of priority for making payments to those who are creditors in an administration. This is subject to any valid ownership claims. This is considered the fairest way of allocating the limited funds that will be available in such a procedure and provide the best opportunity for rescuing potentially viable businesses.

Electrical Safety

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of electrical product recalls in the UK.

Jennifer Willott: Liability and responsibility for unsafe products lie with the manufacturer or the importer placing them on the European market. Local authority Trading Standards services in Great Britain and district councils in Northern Ireland are responsible for enforcement. They have powers to order a recall, but rarely use them. The majority of recalls are undertaken by industry on a voluntary basis to address their obligations. Recall actions are expensive and often complex; manufacturers work with the enforcement authority to tailor the action to the product and the specific circumstances.
	The electrical products industry monitors the impact of these actions to continually improve their effectiveness. I fully support their efforts and consequently have not undertaken my own assessment of the effectiveness of electrical product recalls. However, my officials are keeping this under review.

EU External Trade: USA

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2013, Official Report, column 1084, for what reason he considers investor state dispute settlements in the transatlantic trade and investment partnership to be an example of a tricky negotiating issue; and what other issues in that partnership also fall into that category.

Michael Fallon: The Government has consistently pushed for an ambitious and broad agreement under the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and to begin negotiations with all issues on the table. The research that we commissioned highlighted certain risks associated with including investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in the TTIP. Negotiations are at an early stage and the UK is pushing for an appropriate balance between protecting UK investors and ensuring that the UK Government is not prevented from acting in the public interest. It is too early to be definitive about whatever other areas will prove to be challenging, but they may include public procurement and agriculture.

Higher Education: Admissions

Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many pupils entitled to free school meals went to (a) Russell Group Universities and (b) the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013.

David Willetts: The estimated numbers of pupils with free school meals who progressed to Russell Group institutions, Oxford and Cambridge by age 19 are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Estimated number of pupils from maintained schools in England with free school meals at age 15 who progressed to Russell Group institutions, Oxford and Cambridge by age 191 
			  In HE by age 19 in 2009-10 In HE by age 19 in 2010-11 
			 Russell Group2 1,580 1,540 
			 Oxford 15 15 
			 Cambridge 25 25 
			 1 Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5. 2 Current (post 2012) membership of the Russell Group. Source: Matched data from the DFE National Pupil Database, the HESA Student Record and the SFA ILR 
		
	
	Figures are not available after 2010-11.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Electronic Government: Petitions

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Leader of the House how many e-petitions have gained over 100,000 signatures; and how many such e-petitions have been debated in the House.

Andrew Lansley: Since the launch of the Government e-petitions site, 23 petitions have reached the 100,000 signature threshold. The topics of 19 have been the subject of debate in the House of Commons, most as a direct result of the e-petition. Three of these debates have taken place in Westminster Hall on a Monday afternoon, in the additional time made available specifically for the consideration of e-petitions. Two e-petitions are still under consideration for debate by the Backbench Business Committee.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Burma

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Burmese counterparts to encourage Burma to fulfil its pledge to release all prisoners of conscience by the end of the year.

Hugo Swire: Throughout 2013, we closely monitored the implementation of President Thein Sein's pledge to release all political prisoners by the end of the year. We continue to raise the issue of political prisoners, and I did so most recently with the Burmese ambassador, Kyaw Zwar Minn, on 12 December and Minister for the President's Office, Tin Naing Thein, on 22 November. On both occasions I raised our concerns about those prisoners still detained in Burma and made clear that we did not want to see new arrests or political activists re-arrested.
	On 30 December, it was announced President Thein Sein had ordered the release of all prisoners and persons facing trial under political sections. I released a press statement on 31 December welcoming this announcement but noting there are individuals still in jail whose status as political prisoners is disputed. I urged continued dialogue between the government and civil society to review these remaining cases as a matter of urgency.

Burma

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Burma.

Hugo Swire: Burma is currently identified as a Country of Concern in our Annual Human Rights Report. We provide quarterly reporting on the human rights situation in Burma on our website:
	http://www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk/human-rights-in-countries-of-concern/burma/
	We welcome the UN General Assembly 3rd Committee Country Resolution on Burma that was adopted by consensus on 20 November 2013. While recognising areas where the Burmese Government have made genuine progress, the resolution, agreed to by all member states including Burma, also emphasises our continued human rights concerns. In particular, we remain extremely concerned by allegations of human rights violations in Rakhine State and the rights of the Rohingya community. These issues were at the heart of discussions with President Thein Sein during his visit to the UK in July.
	We welcome the continued peace talks between the Burmese Government and ethnic armed groups, and the agreement made after the latest round of talks in November to work towards a nationwide ceasefire and political dialogue. However, we are concerned by continued fighting in Kachin State, and reports of human rights violations including sexual violence. As the largest bilateral humanitarian donor to Kachin State, we continue to call on the government to allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid in line with international humanitarian law.
	We welcome President Thein Sein's order to release all prisoners and persons facing trial under political sections on 30 December, but note there are individuals in jail whose status as political prisoners is disputed. We urge further dialogue between the government and civil society to resolve the continued detention of individuals whose status as political prisoners is disputed. We also remain concerned by the continued arrests, detentions and sentencing of political activists in Burma. We continue to raise these issues regularly with the Government of Burma and call upon them to take decisive action to tackle human rights abuses.
	The 2015 elections will be a crucial milestone, and reform of the 2008 constitution will be necessary for continued progress. The constitution needs to enshrine equal rights for ethnic groups and reflect issues around federalism that will arise from the peace process. This will be crucial for sustainable stability.

North Korea

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in UN fora unilaterally or multilaterally, in response to North Korean human rights violations.

Hugo Swire: We have substantial concerns about the human rights situation in North Korea. We play an active role in raising this in the United Nations, and in 2013, we co-sponsored resolutions in the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) and UN General Assembly condemning North Korea's human rights record, which we assess to be one of the worst in the world. The 2013 HRC resolution recommended that the UN establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the most severe and systematic human rights abuses in North Korea. The Inquiry was agreed without a vote and will report to the 2014 HRC. In October 2013, the British Government sponsored a visit by members of the Inquiry panel to the UK to allow the panel to gather evidence from North Korean refugees, academics, NGOs and parliamentarians. I met the panel on 23 October 2013, and remain fully supportive of their work.

North Korea

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the North Korean authorities about human rights abuses in that country.

Hugo Swire: The UK takes every opportunity to raise our concerns about North Korea's appalling human rights record directly with the North Korean Government. The British embassy in Pyongyang last raised our concerns with the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 19 December 2013. Officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office raised this issue with the North Korean embassy on 20 December 2013.

Syria

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government has considered plans to protect schools inside Syria by calling for zones of peace to shield children from danger.

Hugh Robertson: The Government are deeply concerned by the impact of the Syria crisis on children. As part of our £500 million humanitarian response, the Government are funding a new £30 million ‘Lost Generation Initiative’ to provide protection, psychosocial support and education for children affected by the crisis. The UK has led international diplomatic efforts to protect children, including by securing a UN Security Council Presidential Statement on 2 October that condemned violations committed against children, attacks on schools, and the use of children as human shields. The UK is working with international partners to ensure the robust measures listed within the statement are fully implemented. Ultimately, the most effective way of protecting Syrian children is to end the conflict through a political settlement, and we are working with partners, the UN and the Syrian opposition to maximise the chances of success at the upcoming Geneva II peace conference.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions the Government have had with General Idris of the Syrian National Coalition.

William Hague: As strong supporters of the Syrian people and the Syrian National Coalition, the Government have regular contact with their leadership and representatives of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) including General Idris. I last met General Idris on 20 November 2013. We discussed UK support to the opposition, co-ordination between the SMC and the National Coalition and opposition participation at Geneva II.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the closure of the Bab al-Hawa supply depot on the capacity of the UK to supply humanitarian aid into Syria.

William Hague: Events at Bab al-Hawa have not impaired the UK's overall capacity to supply humanitarian aid into Syria. We work with trusted and impartial actors, including UN agencies and non-governmental organisations, to deliver humanitarian aid to all 14 Syrian governorates. We do so taking into account the security situation in different parts of the country which varies over time. We will continue to do all we can to alleviate the appalling humanitarian distress of the Syrian people.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number of people engaged in fighting in Syria who are currently affiliated to Islamic Jihad.

William Hague: There are a wide range of actors on the ground in Syria with widely varying ideologies. The situation is fluid with fighters moving between groups. This makes it difficult to estimate numbers. There are, however, two al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the Al Nusrah Front, with many thousands of members.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs following the suspension of non-lethal support through Bab al-Hawa, whether his Department has conducted a review of the viability of supplying non-lethal military support to the Free Syrian Army through that crossing at Bab al-Hawa.

William Hague: As a precaution the Government have temporarily put the gifting of equipment to the Supreme Military Council in Syria on hold. We will keep the end-users of our support and the risks of diversion under constant review.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes the Government will make to their policy on supporting the Free Syrian Army following the takeover of its headquarters and supply depots at Bab al-Hawa by the Islamic Front group.

William Hague: The Government continue to support the Supreme Military Council (SMC). We have been long standing and strong supporters of the SMC and the Syrian National Coalition. They seek a democratic, pluralist future for their country. This remains the case.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances the Government will seek before reopening the supply of non-lethal aid to Syrian rebel forces through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing following their decision to suspend aid in December.

William Hague: The Government intend to resume support as soon as we and the Supreme Military Council are satisfied the conditions on the ground allow it. Recipients of future assistance will be carefully selected to ensure that assistance is not being given to those involved in extremist activities or human rights violations. Equipment will undergo intense scrutiny to ensure that we are providing the best possible support to the moderate opposition and that we meet all our national and international obligations. The equipment will be scrutinised to ensure its provision is consistent with export controls under the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and EU restrictions on the provision of goods to Syria (as agreed by member states on 27 May 2013).

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the most recent developments have been in relation to the temporary suspension of non-lethal aid to Syria following the breaching of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing in December 2013.

William Hague: We understand that the Supreme Military Council (SMC) are still in discussions with the Islamic Front. We remain in close contact with SMC officials. As with all our support to the Syrian opposition, we monitor carefully end-users and the risk of diversion.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it remains the Government's policy that the Syrian rebel forces should be represented at the Geneva II conference in January 2014 by the Syrian National Coalition.

William Hague: We believe that the Syrian National Coalition should be the heart and lead of the opposition delegation. It is for the Syrian National Coalition to decide on the makeup of their delegation. But we are clear that it should be representative of those, including opposition armed groups, who support a negotiated political settlement and a democratic pluralist vision for Syria.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government have had with the Government of Turkey relating to the patrolling and policing of Turkey's border with Syria.

William Hague: Our officials regularly meet their Turkish counterparts to discuss border security issues. The Home Office Permanent Under-Secretary, Mark Sedwill, visited Ankara on 21-22 November 2013 for meetings with senior officials from across the Turkish security establishment. During this visit it was agreed that the UK and Turkey would broaden co-operation on border security. Subsequent to Mr Sedwill's visit, our officials have had further discussions about how the UK could support Turkey control its border with Syria.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the closure of the Bab al-Hawa supply depot on the UK's capacity to supply non-lethal support to the rebel forces inside Syria.

William Hague: As a precaution the Government have temporarily put the gifting of equipment to the Supreme Military Council in Syria on hold. We will keep the end-users of our support and the risks of diversion under constant review.

HEALTH

Asthma: Medical Equipment

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when his public consultation on changing regulations to allow schools to hold a spare asthma inhaler for emergencies will begin;
	(2)  whether his upcoming consultation on changing regulations to allow schools to hold a spare asthma inhaler for emergencies will seek views on the Commission on Human Medicine's recommendation and a draft protocol for schools; and whether he proposes that the consultation will apply to the whole of the UK.

Daniel Poulter: We would like to consult on not only the Commission on Human Medicine's recommendation to change regulations, but a draft protocol for schools on making effective use of inhalers. We are discussing this currently with key professional bodies, and Asthma UK, and hope to consult early in the new year. The consultation will apply to the whole of the United Kingdom.

Autism

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that training in autism is included in the core curriculum for doctors, nurses and other clinicians in line with his Department's commitments under the 2010 Adult Autism Strategy.

Daniel Poulter: The content and standard of health care professional training is the responsibility of the regulators, which are independent statutory bodies. They have the general function of promoting high standards of education and co-ordinating all stages of education to ensure that students and newly qualified professionals are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for professional practice.
	The Government have mandated Health Education England (HEE) to provide national leadership on education, training and work force development in the national health service. HEE will work with stakeholders to influence training curriculum as appropriate.

Caesarean Sections

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many caesarean births there have been in each of the last three years.

Daniel Poulter: The following table gives the number of delivery episodes with a method of delivery of caesarean section for the specified financial years. Please note that this only includes deliveries within national health service hospitals in England:
	
		
			  2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Total number of deliveries 668,195 668,936 671,255 
			 Number of caesarean section deliveries 162,512 163,859 167,283 
			 Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre NHS Maternity Statistics

Cancer: Bolton

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by the NHS on drugs for cancer treatment in Bolton North East constituency in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: Expenditure by primary and secondary care health bodies on medicines to treat cancer, covering the area of the Bolton North East constituency, is provided in the table. Whole-year information is not available prior to 2009.
	
		
			 Cost of medicines used to treat cancer, by health bodies covering the area of the Bolton North East constituency, as defined by British National Formulary Sections 8.1 ‘Cytotoxic drugs’, 8.2.3 ‘Anti-lymphocyte monoclonal antibodies’, 8.2.4 ‘Other immunomodulating drugs’ (only lenalidomide, thalidomide and mifamurtide), and 8.3 ‘Sex hormones and hormone antagonists in malignant disease’1 
			  Primary care cost (£000)2,3 Secondary care cost (£000): Greater Manchester Area Team4,5,6 
			 Bolton Primary Care Trust   
			 20097 1,155.6 47,143.5 
			 2010 1,137.0 47,661.7 
			 2011 1,070.1 54,157.4 
			 2012 677.0 61,500.6 
			 2013 Q1 151.3 16,868.8 
			    
			 Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group   
			 2013 Q28 145.7 — 
			 2013 Q38 151.2 — 
			 1 Medicines may be used to treat conditions other than the therapeutic classifications defined in the BNF. 2 The net ingredient cost of prescription items written by the local health body and dispensed, in the community, in the United Kingdom. 3 For Primary Care, the Bolton North East constituency was defined as Bolton Primary Care Trust from 2009 to Q1 2013. For Q2 and Q3 2013, when the NHS had undergone a reorganisation, Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has been used. 4 Some medicines supplied through homecare providers may not be included. 5 Represents the cost of medicines at NHS list price and not necessarily the price paid. 6 For Secondary Care, historic data have been recoded using the new Area Team (AT) geographies only, no CCG level data are available. Therefore the Greater Manchester AT was used for all time periods. The Greater Manchester AT includes the following CCGs: Bolton CCG, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Bury CCG, Central Manchester CCG, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale CCG, North Manchester CCG, Oldham CCG, Salford CCG, South Manchester CCG, Stockport CCG, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Tameside and Glossop CCG, Trafford CCG, Wigan Borough CCG, Wigan Council, and Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. 7 Whole year figures are not available pre-2009 at sub-national level. 8 Quarters 2 and 3 of 2013 (April to September) are the latest available quarters for primary care, but are not available for secondary care. Sources: Prescribing Analysis and CosT tool (ePACT) system. The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Prescribing and Primary Care Services. IMS data. IMS HEALTH: Hospital Pharmacy Audit

Dental Services: Bolton

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that enough dentists are recruited to meet the demand for NHS dental services in Bolton.

Daniel Poulter: NHS dental services are commissioned by NHS England. It is for the national health service locally to ensure the provision of NHS dental services meets the needs of local populations.

Dental Services: Bolton

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of people in Bolton who have access to an NHS dentist.

Daniel Poulter: Information is not collected in the format requested.
	Information on the number of patients seen and the percentage of the population seen by an NHS dentist in NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), in the 24-month period ending 30 September 2013, is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Patients seen (number) Percentage of the population (%) 
			 Bolton CCG 159,977 57.7 
			 Notes: 1. The patients seen measure shows the number of patients who received NHS dental care in the previous 24 months, where their last course of treatment started within the past 24 months. An equivalent measure covering the 12-month period is not available. 2. Percentage of the population figures use Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-year population estimates for 2011. 3. Population figures supplied by the ONS relate to the estimated residential population of an area. This may have an impact on sub-national population based measures in that patients being treated within a CCG or area team may not necessarily be a resident of that CCG/area team. For example, they may live close to the boundary and their dentist falls into a different CCG/area team, or they could be receiving treatment while away from home and not actually be resident in the CCG/area team area where the care package was delivered. Source: NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2013-14, First quarterly report.

Diabetes

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with medical authorities and Diabetes UK on whether insulin pumps could administer a fatal overdose to diabetics;
	(2)  how many diabetics who use insulin pumps have overdosed in each of the last three years.

Daniel Poulter: The Department and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have had no direct discussion with medical authorities or Diabetes UK on this topic. Nor do we hold figures for the number of diabetic patients using insulin pumps that have received overdoses.
	Insulin pumps are CE-marked medical devices and, as such, must be designed by the manufacturer to meet the essential requirements of the Medical Devices Directives 93/42/EEC and demonstrate that they are acceptably safe and effective in use.
	The Department does not collect the number of overdoses as a result of using insulin pumps.
	The MHRA has received a total of 15 adverse incident reports during the past three years related to insulin pumps which state "over infusion" as the reported event. This information can be viewed in the following table.
	
		
			  Death Serious Minor None Total 
			 20111 0 3 0 1 4 
			 2012 1 3 1 1 6 
			 20132 2 1 1 1 5 
			 Total 3 7 2 3 15 
			 1 Search terms used only from April 2011. 2 2013 until 17 December 2013 Source: MHRA Devices Adverse Incident Database 
		
	
	Overdose is not a term generally used in incident reports sent to the Department. Report of a fatality cannot in all cases be attributed to the device event.

Hepatitis

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assumptions his Department has made of about the average length of time in months and years that it expected to make monthly payments through the Skipton Fund Stage 2 to people who contracted hepatitis C through their NHS treatment.

Jane Ellison: People who meet the stage 2 Skipton Fund eligibility criteria receive an annual payment for the rest of their lives. The Department has made no assumptions about the average length of time that people might live after meeting the stage 2 eligibility criteria.

Hepatitis

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department has provided to the Skipton Fund in each year since its establishment in 2004.

Jane Ellison: The Skipton Fund has received the following funding for its United Kingdom-wide operations, since it started operating in 2004.
	
		
			  Amount received (£) 
			 2004-05 70,099,424 
			 2005-06 13,964,442 
			 2006-07 6,969,953 
			 2007-08 6,378,797 
			 2008-09 4,981,958 
			 2009-10 4,980,173 
			 2010-11 19,478,496 
			 2011-12 37,284,346 
			 2012-13 17,355,168 
			 Total 181,492,757

Hepatitis

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Skipton Fund payments have been made to families bereaved as a result of NHS treatment with blood infected with hepatitis C.

Jane Ellison: In January 2011, the decision was made to make Skipton Fund payment to the estates of people who died prior to the announcement of the scheme in August 2003. Up until 31 March 2013, the last full year for which the Skipton Fund has produced accounts, the Fund has made 456 stage 1 payments and 194 stage 2 payments to estates.
	Note.
	The Skipton Fund was set up in 2004 to make payments to people infected with hepatitis C as a result of treatment with NHS supplied blood/blood products. It makes payments in two stages: a lump sum of £20,000 for chronic infection, and a further lump sum of £50,000 and an annual payment of £14,191, uprated annually by CPI, for those who go on to develop severe liver disease.

Industrial Accidents

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many serious accidents were suffered at work by officials in his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Daniel Poulter: The following serious accidents suffered by officials at work were recorded under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.
	
		
			  Number of reported incidents 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 0 
			 2006 2 
			 2007 1 
			 2008 1 
			 2009 0 
			 2010 1 
			 2011 0 
			 2012 0 
			 2013 0

Kidneys: Diseases

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on research into (a) chronic kidney disease, (b) acute kidney injury, (c) kidney cancer, (d) dialysis, (e) end-of-life care for kidney patients and (f) other kidney disease in each of the last three years; and how much it plans to spend on such research in 2014.

Daniel Poulter: Expenditure on these topics by the Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) through research programmes, research centres and units, and research training awards is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 NIHR programmes, centres and units, and research training awards 
			 £ million 
			  2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Chronic kidney disease 1.0 1.0 1.5 
			 Acute kidney injury 0.2 0.3 0.5 
			 Kidney cancer 0.2 0.3 0.4 
			 Dialysis 0.8 1.1 0.9 
			 End-of-life care for kidney patients 0.2 0.1 0.0 
			 Other kidney diseases 1.2 1.6 2.8 
			 Total 3.6 4.4 6.1 
		
	
	Total spend by the NIHR on these topics is higher than this because expenditure by the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) on these topics cannot be disaggregated from total CRN expenditure. Total spend by the CRN on research in renal and urogenital disease is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 NIHR Clinical Research Network 
			 £ million 
			  2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Renal and urogenital disease 4.2 3.4 5.7 
		
	
	The NIHR funds 14 experimental cancer medicine centres (ECMCs) across England in close partnership with Cancer Research UK. Spend by the NIHR on kidney cancer research through these centres cannot be disaggregated from total ECMC expenditure. The ECMCs supported 22 renal studies in 2012-13.
	Total spend in future years by the NIHR on research on kidney disease depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity. The usual practice of the NIHR is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including kidney disease. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made.

Medical Records: Databases

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to ensure effective communication of the details of the care data scheme, in particular its opt-out nature, to people with disabilities;
	(2)  whether printed information aimed at the general public regarding the care data scheme is available in formats accessible to disabled people, such as large print or easy read.

Daniel Poulter: NHS England is working with a range of stakeholders, including the disability partnership programme, to ensure that people with disabilities make informed decisions about information sharing. NHS England is publishing its resources and materials in a range of formats including Braille, large print and audio.

NHS England

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the projected budget underspend or overspend is for NHS England for 2013-14.

Daniel Poulter: As at month seven, NHS England is forecasting a surplus of £669 million for the commissioning sector.
	This surplus was reported to the NHS England Board meeting on 17 December and the board papers are available on the NHS England website at:
	www.england.nhs.uk/2013/12/10/board-meet-17-dec13/

NHS: Artworks

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each NHS trust has spent on buying artwork since May 2010; and what the average annual salary for art co-ordinators employed by NHS trusts to obtain art work is.

Daniel Poulter: This information is not collected centrally by the Department. The hon. Member may wish to contact each NHS trust individually.

NHS: Awards

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the criteria are for clinical excellence awards; what the range of enhancements to salary is; and how many such awards have been made across England to date.

Daniel Poulter: Clinical Excellence Awards recognise and reward national health service consultants and academic general practitioners (GPs) who perform ‘over and above' the standard expected of their role. Awards are given for quality and excellence, acknowledging exceptional personal contributions.
	To be considered for an award, consultants and academic GPs have to submit an application form in which they demonstrate achievements in developing and delivering high quality patient care, and commitment, to the continuous improvement of the NHS.

NHS: Energy

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that hospital and other trusts put their gas and electric supplies out to tender; and what estimate he has made of the savings arising from such tendering.

Daniel Poulter: Individual national health service and foundation trusts have responsibility for setting their own procurement policy and are responsible and accountable for achieving value for money in the delivery of their energy requirements.

NHS: Minimum Wage

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) female and (b) male NHS employees in Bolton North East constituency are paid the national minimum wage.

Daniel Poulter: Under the terms of Agenda for Change, all whole-time equivalent staff in Bolton receive more than the national minimum wage.

NHS: Redundancy Pay

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of redundancy payments made between 2010 and 2013 to (a) NHS staff who took redundancy and (b) NHS staff made redundant and who have subsequently returned to an NHS job.

Daniel Poulter: The total cost of redundancy payments made to national health service staff who took redundancy between 2010 and 2013 is not available.

Nurses: Recruitment

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to his statement of 19 November 2013, Official Report, columns 1095-97, on Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, what the evidential basis is for the statement that NHS trusts are planning to hire 3,700 additional nurses; and if he will publish the number of additional nurses each trust plans to hire.

Daniel Poulter: The statement is based on information collected through local education and training boards from their local national health service health care providers. While the responsibility of Health Education England (HEE) is for the future work force, and not current employment, based upon data submitted, trusts are reporting their employment intentions have changed significantly between last year and this and they have revised their forecasts in-year, with plans to employ an additional 3,700 nurses by March 2014.
	HEE advises that it does not have access to individual provider plans.

Nursing and Midwifery Council

Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases are awaiting scheduling for a hearing before the Nursing and Midwifery Council; how many historic cases are awaiting a hearing before that Council; and if he will make a statement.

Daniel Poulter: The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is an independent body and responsible for matters concerning the discharge of its statutory duties, including pursuing fitness to practice (FtP) investigations against its registrants. Statistical information about NMC FtP cases is not routinely collected or held centrally. However, the NMC advises that as at 20 December 2013, 384 FtP cases were awaiting scheduling for a hearing; and 20 historic cases, received prior to January 2011, are in the process of being heard with resuming dates in 2014.

Nursing and Midwifery Council

Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to bring forward proposals to allow the Nursing and Midwifery Council to review decisions made by its Fitness to Practice department to close cases not requiring further investigation; and if he will make a statement.

Daniel Poulter: Work is under way on an order under section 60 of the Health Act 1999 to amend the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 and also on associated amendments, to the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC's) rules. Amendments under consideration include introducing a power for the NMC to review ‘no case to answer’ decisions made in fitness-to-practise proceedings.

Roaccutane

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many instances of suspected adverse psychiatric reactions, including suicide, have been reported to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency's Yellow Card scheme in relation to the Roaccutane form of isotretinoin in the last 10 years.

Norman Lamb: Reports of ‘suspected’ adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are collected by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Commission for Human Medicines (CHM) through the spontaneous reporting scheme, the Yellow Card scheme. The scheme collects suspected ADR reports from the whole of the United Kingdom in relation to all medicines and vaccines. Reporting to the Yellow Card scheme is voluntary for health care professionals and members of the public. There is however also a legal obligation for pharmaceutical companies to report all serious ADRs for their products that they are aware of.
	Between 1 January 2003 and 16 December 2013 the MHRA has received a total of 294 UK spontaneous suspected ADR reports describing a total of 657 psychiatric reactions in association with the use of isotretinoin. Of these reports, 36 report a completed suicide. These data include all reports for isotretinoin irrespective of the brand name, which in some cases will not have been provided by the reporter.
	It is important to note that Yellow Card reports are not proof of a side effect occurring but only a suspicion by the reporter that the medicine may have caused the side effect. Yellow Card reports may therefore relate to true side effects of the medicine, or they may be due to coincidental illnesses that would have occurred in the absence of the medicine.

Sickness Absence

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days of sick leave were taken in his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Daniel Poulter: The number of working days lost due to sickness of officials in the Department can be found in the following table.
	Data prior to 2004 are not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Period Total working days lost due to sickness 
			 2012-13 9,262 
			 2011-12 9,531 
			 2010-11 12,130 
			 2009-10 11,252 
			 2008-09 11,942 
			 2007-08 12,102 
			 2006-07* 15,681 
			 2005* 24,648 
			 2004* 26,147 
			 Notes: 1. The change from calendar years to financial years between 2005 and 2006 represents a change in Cabinet Office sickness absence reporting periods. From 2006-07 data were presented in financial years so it could be comparable with data published in the Department's Annual Resources Accounts basis. 2. The years .marked with ‘*’ also include data from the Department's executive agencies the Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. Sources: Department of Health Payroll and the Annual Civil Service Sickness Absence Report 2004 to 2006-07.

Streptococcus

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects Public Health England to make available the improved Enriched Culture Medium test for group B Strep carriage.

Daniel Poulter: Public Health England investigated the circumstances in which the Enriched Culture Medium (ECM) test could be used within the current guidance set out in Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology guidelines on the prevention of early onset neonatal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease. The outcome of this work concludes that there are currently no clinical indications for the test in high risk women using ECM methods within current guidance.
	Research into the use of tests for GBS carriage in high risk clinical circumstances is being considered now with the National Institute of Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Taxis: Greater London

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of taxi fares between Richmond House and other NHS or departmental buildings in the Greater London area for officials in his Department was for each of the last 10 years.

Daniel Poulter: The Department does not hold information in the format requested. Costs charged as “expenses” incurred by the Department's employees relating to taxis, and costs classified as “transport” are available: however, it is not possible to provide a breakdown with the specific detail requested.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Energy: Business

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what his policy is on vertical integration in the electricity industry;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy to introduce a ring-fence between generation and supply businesses in vertically integrated energy companies.

Michael Fallon: The independent regulator, Ofgem, in conjunction with the OFT and the CMA, is currently undertaking the first annual competition assessment, which will assess the state of competition in the GB energy markets and how well competition is serving the interests of households and small firms. This assessment will include the impact of vertical integration on the market and whether it is leading to a lack of transparency in relation to prices and profitability through the supply chain, cross-subsidy of different products, or barriers to entry or expansion in wholesale or retail markets.
	The Government will consider whether further action is needed once the assessment has been completed.

Energy: Meters

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what time scale his Department has set for the development of a solution to allow electrical contractors to work safely between the meter and the consumer unit, other than the inclusion of an electrical isolation switch in the smart meter specification.

Michael Fallon: A solution to this issue is likely to require changes to processes that are governed by the energy industry under the Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA) which is overseen by Ofgem. DCUSA sets out the responsibilities of energy suppliers and distribution networks regarding de-energisations, and representatives of these organisations are considering this issue in conjunction with Ofgem. The Department is monitoring progress.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bovine Tuberculosis

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support his Department is giving to volunteer-led badger vaccination initiatives such as the Sussex Badger Vaccination project in the fight against bovine tuberculosis.

George Eustice: The Badger Vaccination Fund helps groups such as the Sussex Badger Vaccination project undertake badger vaccination initiatives. The £250,000 fund has two elements: a competitive grant scheme providing up to 50% of the first year's vaccination costs for local vaccination projects; and a 50% grant towards training voluntary and community sector volunteers to become lay vaccinators and attain their annual certificate of competence as a vaccinator. In 2013 five members of the Sussex group received training and certificate of competence grants and I understand other members of the group have already applied for grant-aided places on the 2014 course.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the safety, humaneness and effectiveness of the badger cull pilots in Somerset and Gloucestershire.

George Eustice: A report on the safety, humaneness and effectiveness of the pilot badger culls by the Independent Expert Panel is expected to be published early this year.
	Following consideration of the panel's report, it is expected that Ministers will be in a position in early 2014 to make a decision on wider roll out.

TREASURY

Autumn Statement

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to paragraph 1.182 of the Autumn Statement, what the definition is of a local community.

Nicky Morgan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member on 17 December 2013, Official Report, column 447W. The industry will come forward with more details shortly on how and to whom the community benefits for shale gas will be paid.

Contracts

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will list all current letters of comfort;
	(2)  if he will list all current indemnities.

Danny Alexander: This information is not held centrally. Managing Public Money requires Departments to report all outstanding single contingent liabilities, or schemes of liabilities, in their accounts unless they are confidential. Many arm’s length bodies follow the same standard.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the Government's capital departmental expenditure limit budget was spent on payments to the private sector as a result of calls on financial guarantees in the financial years 2010-11 to 2012-13.

Danny Alexander: There have been no calls, in the financial years 2010-11 to 2012-13, on financial guarantees provided by Her Majesty's Government.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Julian Huppert: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the net annual fiscal benefits to the Exchequer of immigration from EEA member states.

Danny Alexander: The Government have not made an estimate of the net annual fiscal benefits to the Exchequer of immigration from EEA member states.

Inflation

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many months the annual rate of inflation has been larger than the annual rate of growth in average earnings since May 2010.

Nicky Morgan: Average weekly earnings growth has been weak over the last few years due in part to the financial crisis, but wage flexibility is likely to have helped support employment levels and household incomes.
	The best way to raise living standards is to stick to the Government's economic plan and deliver a recovery that works for all. Britain is back on the path to prosperity: the economy is growing, the deficit is falling and jobs are being created.

Inflation

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect of rises in energy prices on the rate of consumer price inflation.

Nicky Morgan: The Office for Budget Responsibility is responsible for producing independent economic and fiscal forecasts. The effects of rises in energy prices were taken into account in their latest forecast for consumer price inflation, published in their December 2013 economic and fiscal outlook.

Infrastructure

Gary Streeter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will outline his current plans for infrastructure investment in the UK; what parts of this investment will be targeted at digital infrastructure; and what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed annual licence fee increases on future private investment in digital infrastructure.

Danny Alexander: The Government published the National Infrastructure Plan 2013 on 4 December 2013, setting out their current plans for infrastructure investment in the UK. The Government's plans for digital infrastructure are set out from page 56 of that document and chapter seven of Investing in Britain's Future, which was published in June 2013. Both documents can be found on the Infrastructure UK website.
	As the independent communications regulator, it is for Ofcom to determine the level of fees payable for commercial spectrum users, taking into account relevant impacts. Ofcom has been directed to revise the annual licence fees for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands so that they reflect the full market value of the frequencies in those bands, having particular regard to the sums bid for the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum in the current auction. (See The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (Directions to OFCOM) Order 2010, SI 2010/3024).

Infrastructure

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent progress his Department has made in implementing the National Infrastructure Plan; and if he will make a statement.

Danny Alexander: The National Infrastructure Plan was updated on 4 December 2013 and outlines the Government's strategic objectives and policy approach in this area. Annex A of the new National Infrastructure Plan lists the Government's Priority Investments and provides up-to-date information on the progress made in delivering those projects and programmes.
	The National Infrastructure Plan 2013 is available on the Infrastructure UK website.

Revenue and Customs

Chloe Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees of HM Revenue and Customs have (a) received performance-related pay and (b) been dismissed for underperformance in the last five years.

David Gauke: The information is as follows:
	(a) The number of HMRC staff with Top markings, and therefore, receiving performance-related pay in the last five years was:
	
		
			 Year (April-March) Number of awards Percentage of staff receiving an award Award value as a percentage of individuals base pay 
			 2012-13 9,567 13.8 2.55 
			 2011-12 9,718 13.5 2.85 
			 2010-11 9,558 13.6 2.50 
			 2009-10 13,361 17.6 2.25 
			 2008-09 15,298 19.4 2.50 
		
	
	(b) We are unable to supply information on dismissals for poor performance for the last five years. HMRC only started collecting data at this level from December 2011 when Cabinet Office first started asking for this level of information.
	
		
			  December 2011 to March 2012 2012-13 Total 
			 Poor performance dismissals 14 32 46

Sovereignty: Scotland

Gordon Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the pro rata financial contribution of Scotland to the EU; and if he will estimate the contribution to the EU that Scotland would make if it did not receive the rebate in each year from 2012-13 to 2019-20.

Danny Alexander: Details of the UK's contributions to the EU are published in HM Treasury's “European Union Finances 2013: statement on the 2013 EU Budget and measures to counter fraud and financial mismanagement” of 18 November 2013. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) provides independent forecasts for the UK. The latest forecast is reported in its “Economic and fiscal outlook: Fiscal supplementary tables” of 9 December 2013.
	However, neither out-turn nor forecast contributions are attributed to the devolved Administrations. The Government intend to publish, in due course, material relating to Scotland's financial contribution to the EU. This will be as part of the Scotland analysis programme, which is examining how Scotland contributes to, and benefits from, being part of the UK across a range of key issues in the Scottish independence debate.

Sovereignty: Scotland

Gordon Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will commission analysis on the relationship between an independent Scotland and England on a currency union similar to the five tests applied to the relationship between the UK and the euro zone under the previous Administration.

Danny Alexander: As part of the Scotland Analysis Programme, HM Government have published a paper on “Currency and monetary policy”. The analysis in the paper concludes that there is no clear economic rationale for the continuing UK to form a sterling currency union with an independent Scotland. It would be highly unlikely that such a currency union could be agreed or made to work.

Sovereignty: Scotland

Gordon Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  with reference to the Institute for Fiscal Studies paper, The fiscal implications of an independent Scotland, if he will estimate the growth rate Scotland would need to achieve to bridge the fiscal gap identified in that paper;
	(2)  with reference to the report, Fiscal sustainability of an independent Scotland, published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in November 2013, if he will make an assessment of the growth rate Scotland would have to achieve, and how much greater than England's growth this would have to be, to bridge the fiscal gap identified in that report.

Danny Alexander: All else equal, an independent Scotland would need to grow at almost 2% per year more than the UK for the next 50 years to get back to the IFS's projection for the UK's debt position. Over the last 50 years Scotland and the rest of the UK have grown, on average, at an almost identical 2% per year. So it would be necessary to double this rate. This would be at the same time as an independent Scotland's economy would be facing greater pressure from the decline in North Sea production and an ageing population. No European country has managed to grow at the required rate of 4% over the last 50 years.

Sterling

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what veto powers the Welsh Government have in respect of which territorial entities are able to use sterling.

Danny Alexander: No territorial entity has the right to insist that the UK enters into a currency union with it. It is up to the United Kingdom, to decide whether or not to form a currency union with other territorial entities, including any part of the UK that becomes independent. Currency unions do not work without close political and fiscal integration: the lesson of the eurozone crisis is that clear-currency unions are very difficult without fiscal or political integration, and can expose all their members to significant risks.
	Any territorial entity could unilaterally adopt sterling in the same way that Montenegro uses the euro and Panama uses the US dollar. But they would then have no control over the currency and its monetary policy, and no central bank to act as lender of last resort and to protect individuals' savings and mortgages.

Taxation: Environment Protection

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government will remove the carbon floor price as part of their review of green energy policies in the UK.

Nicky Morgan: The UK needs significant new investment in low-carbon electricity generation over the coming decades; £110 billion is needed in new power stations and grid connections by 2020. The carbon price floor was introduced to provide long-term certainty over the price of carbon to incentivise new investment in low-carbon electricity generation. It is the first step in the UK's electricity market reforms and is an important part of our transition to a low-carbon economy.
	The Chancellor of the Exchequer set out the Government's review of green energy policies during the autumn statement. This included a range of policies to help households with their energy costs.

Universal Credit

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs staff based in Nottingham are employed on work relating to the introduction of universal credit.

Nicky Morgan: There are no HMRC personnel based in Nottingham working directly on the introduction of universal credit.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will introduce a non-commercial, licence-funded digital radio station for children.

Edward Vaizey: DCMS has no plans to introduce a non-commercial, licence-funded digital radio station for children.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of how public access to radio in the UK will be improved by digital radio switchover.

Edward Vaizey: The Government have been clear that the transition to digital must be consumer led. With digital radio listening at 35.6%, now is not the right time to announce a digital radio switchover, but we know that consumers like digital radio for its clearer sound, ease of tuning and because of the wider range of content offered. On 16 December, I therefore announced up to £21 million of new investment from the BBC, Government and commercial radio to build out digital radio coverage, so more homes can receive it.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make it her policy that digital radio switchover will only proceed if significant improvements in listening coverage and access are made.

Edward Vaizey: The Government have been clear that the transition to digital radio must be consumer led and that the majority of listening must be digital before a decision to switchover can be taken.
	The Government have also been clear that a future switchover cannot proceed until national DAB coverage is comparable to FM, and local DAB reaches 90% of the population and all major roads. On 16 December we announced that up to £21 million of investment will be made to improve local DAB coverage with the DCMS, the BBC and commercial radio each committing up to £7 million.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether UK listeners will have the same access to DAB radio in the first year of digital radio switchover as they currently do to AM and FM.

Edward Vaizey: Now is not the time to announce a radio switchover. However, the Government have always been clear that a radio switchover will not proceed until national DAB coverage is comparable to FM, and local DAB reaches 90% of the population and all major roads.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the Department plans to fund local DAB build-out.

Edward Vaizey: Up to £21 million of investment will be made in local DAB infrastructure to improve coverage, with the DCMS, the BBC and commercial radio each committing up to £7 million.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the minimum proportion of DAB in-vehicle radio listening in the UK will be before digital switchover takes place.

Edward Vaizey: A transition to digital must be consumer-led. A decision about the timetable for a future switchover will only be considered when the majority of listening is digital and the coverage criteria have been met. We have not set a criteria for in-vehicle listening and will continue to support industry efforts to increase in-vehicle listening to digital radio.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to improve uptake of DAB in-vehicle radio listening in the UK.

Edward Vaizey: Significant progress has already been made with 41.6% of new cars sold in October having DAB radios fitted as standard, up from just 4.4% in 2010. To ensure that motorists know about the options available to them to convert to digital radio, we announced on 16 December that Digital UK will work in partnership with the DVLA and the DVSA, to use their communication channels to let motorists know how they can upgrade their listening experience to digital. Digital Radio UK is also working with the motor industry on a new approved installer scheme so drivers can be confident when choosing someone to install a digital radio in their car.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department will proceed with digital radio switchover before at least 90 per cent of UK radio listening is digital.

Edward Vaizey: As I made clear in my statement on 16 December, a decision about the timetable for a future switchover will only be considered once the 50% listening criteria and coverage criteria have been met.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether public funds earmarked for local radio DAB coverage in the event of a digital radio switchover will benefit all radio stations or only stations already on DAB.

Edward Vaizey: The BBC, commercial radio and the Government are together funding the build out of the local DAB tier to near commercial FM equivalence. This will increase the opportunity for existing or new local stations currently not broadcasting on DAB to move to that platform. However, the decision about whether or not to do this is a matter between an individual station and the local multiplex operator.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken to ensure that all local and national radio stations have equal prominence of access to listeners in the event of digital switchover.

Edward Vaizey: Digital radio receivers on the market now all already come with FM so listeners changing to digital can still receive their local stations on FM. The UK's world-leading digital radio industry continues to develop new and innovative products for radio listeners. New chip sets being developed will enable manufacturers to develop new products with integrated channel guides covering FM, DAB and internet radio services.
	Separately, we will also be providing new funding to Ofcom over the next two years to build on the work of its Brighton pilot to develop small-scale DAB solutions to allow smaller radio stations to go digital.

Flags

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will bring forward legislative proposals to give a statutory basis to the Union Flag.

Helen Grant: The Union Flag has been in existence for over 200 years, is an emblem of national pride for this country and is recognised world-wide as the symbol of the United Kingdom. Given its current widespread popularity, familiarity and general appeal, achieved without a statutory basis, I see no reason to bring forward legislative proposals to give a statutory basis to the Union Flag.

Mobile Phones: Unsolicited Goods and Services

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to review the level of distress that the Information Commissioner's Office is required to prove in order for a fine to be upheld in the light of the recent decisions in respect of Tetrus and First Financial.

Edward Vaizey: As noted in our strategy paper, ‘Connectivity, Content and Consumers: Britain's digital platform for growth’, that was published in July 2013 we have been considering the scope for changing the legal threshold that needs to be met before the Information Commissioner's Office can issue a monetary penalty for breaches of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulation (PECR) 2003. DCMS will set out its further thinking on this issue, as part of its action plan on nuisance calls, that will be published early this year.

Preston Bus Station

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the costs were of the process leading to the decision that Preston bus station should be given listed building status; which officials in her Department visited Preston bus station to view the building as part of that process; and on what dates those visits took place.

Edward Vaizey: The only costs incurred by my Department in the process leading to the decision to grant Preston bus station listed building status were staff time in considering the case. As is standard practice for all listing cases, officials from my Department did not visit Preston bus station prior to the decision to list the building. In 2009 senior staff from the Designation Department of English Heritage, my statutory advisors on the historic environment, carried out a full inspection of the building. This information formed part of their recent Advice Report which was submitted to me, together with images of the building, and other representations received, which enabled me to consider the special architectural and historic interest of the building before reaching a decision.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Devolution of Powers

Chris Kelly: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Black Country local enterprise partnership on devolving powers and responsibilities from Whitehall.

Greg Clark: Negotiations with the Black Country local enterprise partnership have recently concluded and the Black Country City Deal was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister on 12 December 2013.

Devolution of Powers

Marcus Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Coventry and Warwickshire local enterprise partnership on devolving power and responsibilities from Whitehall.

Greg Clark: The Coventry and Warwickshire City Deal was announced on 12 December 2013.
	The Strategic Economic Plan will be discussed with the Coventry and Warwickshire local enterprise partnership in the near future.

Devolution of Powers

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Cheshire and Warrington local enterprise partnership on devolving powers and responsibilities from Whitehall.

Greg Clark: Government is currently negotiating a Growth Deal with Cheshire and Warrington LEP. This deal ensures Cheshire and Warrington have the tools they need to drive their own economic growth.

Devolution of Powers

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Lancashire local enterprise partnership on devolving powers and responsibilities from Whitehall.

Greg Clark: In September 2013 the Government concluded the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal. This was the first of the Wave 2 City Deals.
	Lancashire local enterprise partnership, along with the relevant local authorities, was closely involved in negotiations with Government.
	Lancashire LEP will be responsible for the governance and delivery of the City Deal, ensuring that the deal's proposals to invest in the development of new housing and transport infrastructure benefit all the residents of Lancashire.

Voter Registration: Students

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on voter registration by students living away from home.

Greg Clark: Students who have permanent home addresses and a term-time address can be lawfully registered at both addresses. It is up to an authority's Electoral Registration Officer to determine if some trying to register to vote fulfils the residential criteria.

City Deals

Karen Lumley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the role of City Deals in addressing the imbalance of private sector growth across the UK.

Greg Clark: City Deals are playing a vital role in promoting private sector growth across England, by building on the strengths of our great cities.
	City Deals have given places incentives to invest, given control over skills funding to businesses, helped translate world leading science into business growth, provided specialist venture capital funding for firms, and created more streamlined business support for companies that want to grow.

Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the Boundary Commission to discuss parliamentary constituency boundaries.

Greg Clark: Ministers do not generally meet the Boundary Commission to discuss the setting of parliamentary constituency boundaries.

TRANSPORT

Bournemouth Station

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide funds for the improvement of Bournemouth railway station.

Stephen Hammond: A total of £200 million has been made available by the Government through the Network Rail Control Period 5 settlement (2014 to 2019) for investment in station enhancements through the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP) and the Access for All (AfA) programme.
	The train operating companies, which are responsible for the operation of the majority of stations in the country, are now free to develop proposals for how these funds are to be spent.
	I do however understand that South West Trains has recently completed a programme of improvements at Bournemouth station to the value of £2 million as part of their franchise obligations. This work included refurbishment of the booking halls, ticket offices and toilets and the installation of automatic ticket gates. A new coffee shop is due to be opened in the former train crew accommodation later this summer.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what time on what dates and for how long the toll barriers at the Dartford Crossing have been lifted in the last 24 months.

Robert Goodwill: In the last 24 months, the barriers at the Dartford Crossing have been lifted, and charges suspended, on the following dates and times:
	28 June 2012 (northbound), from 6.33 pm to 7.35 pm (one hour and two minutes);
	3 August 2012 (northbound), from 4.04 pm to 6.08 pm (two hours and four minutes);
	3 August 2012 (southbound), from 4.08 pm to 7.02 pm (two hours and 54 minutes);
	10 August 2012 (northbound), from 3.15 pm to 6.00 pm (two hours and 45 minutes);
	19 December 2012 (northbound), from 11.50 am to 2.38 pm (two hours and 48 minutes);
	28 October 2013 (northbound), from 12.40 pm to 5.39 pm (four hours and 59 minutes).

Fuels

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish the outcome of the Government's competition to develop a demonstration plant to produce advanced transport fuels.

Robert Goodwill: Subject to the outcome of the feasibility study currently under way, we expect to announce the details of the competition in spring 2014 which would enable us to award final contracts for successful bids in early 2015.

Railways: Compensation

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what Schedule 8 payments Network Rail has made to train operating companies for unplanned disruptions to timetabled rail passenger services in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK in each year since 2001-02; and what proportion of such payments were passed on to passengers in each such year;
	(2)  if he will list the train operating companies that have received Schedule 8 payments from Network Rail for unplanned disruptions to timetabled rail passenger services in Scotland that occurred in (a) October, (b) November and (c) December 2013; and what the amount (i) applied for and (ii) paid by Network Rail was in each case;
	(3)  what assurances he has (a) sought and (b) received from train operating companies (TOCs) that Schedule 8 payments from Network Rail to TOCs for unplanned disruptions to timetabled rail passenger services in Scotland that occurred in (i) October, (ii) November and (iii) December 2013 will be passed on to passengers;
	(4)  what steps he has taken to ensure that any Schedule 8 payments from Network Rail to train operating companies for unplanned disruptions to timetabled rail passenger services in Scotland that occurred in (a) October, (b) November and (c) December 2013 will be passed on to passengers;
	(5)  what discussions he has had with Passenger Focus regarding Schedule 8 payments from Network Rail to train operating companies for unplanned disruptions to timetabled rail passenger services in Scotland that occurred in (a) October, (b) November and (c) December 2013;
	(6)  what discussions with Network Rail he has had regarding Schedule 8 payments from Network Rail to train operating companies for unplanned disruptions to timetabled rail passenger services in Scotland that occurred in (a) October, (b) November and (c) December 2013.

Stephen Hammond: The Secretary of State for Transport is not accountable for rail services within Scotland, as responsibility devolved to the Scottish Parliament under the Scotland Act 1998.
	Compensation paid to train operators for delays for which Network Rail is responsible (including those arising from external events such as cable theft) is a matter for Network Rail. The compensation regime is a contractual and commercially confidential element within the Track Access Agreement between Network Rail and each operator, and is overseen by the Office for Rail Regulation.
	Compensation paid by train operators to passengers for delays is based on an entirely different system, in line with the terms of the operator's Passenger's Charter, and may vary for example with the type of ticket purchased. A number of existing franchises operate, as will all future ones, the Delay/Repay compensation system, under which compensation for delay is paid regardless of whether the delay was attributed to Network Rail or a train operator.
	As Minister responsible for rail, I regularly meet with senior representatives of Network Rail and other industry parties to discuss current rail performance. Passenger Focus is the official, independent consumer organisation representing the interests of rail users nationally.

Railways: Franchises

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total annual investment in passenger rail services by the current operators of the (a) West Coast, (b) Great Western, (c) Southern, (d) Thameslink, (e) South Eastern, (f) South West, (g) Northern, (h) East Coast, (i) Transpennine, (j) Greater Anglia, (k) East Midlands, (l) London Midland, (m) Cross Country, (n) Essex Thameside and (o) Chiltern rail passenger franchise is to date.

Stephen Hammond: This information is not available as requested. Investment in rail infrastructure is normally a matter for Network Rail, while rolling stock is generally financed by the rolling stock companies.

Railways: Freight

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what priority his Department gives to the reopening of the Leamside Freight Line in the North East.

Stephen Hammond: Prioritisation of proposals for freight infrastructure is a matter for the rail freight industry, led by Network Rail through its Strategic Freight Network Steering Group. The reopening of the Leamside Freight Line is not currently a priority for the industry.
	The wider question of rail infrastructure requirements in the north-east will be considered as part of the East Coast Main Line route study.

Railways: Waste Disposal

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of the effect on the safety of (a) rail workers and (b) passengers of the discharge of effluent directly onto railway tracks.

Stephen Hammond: Research carried out for the Rail Safety and Standards Board in May 2004 concluded that while discharge from toilet waste on to the track is unsightly, the risk to passengers and employees from pathogen infection was low.

Rolling Stock

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new railway rolling stock will be introduced in the next 10 years; by what dates; and on what routes.

Stephen Hammond: On services operated by Department for Transport procured rail franchises the following new train orders have been placed since 2010:
	170 Electrostar carriages currently being delivered for use on Southern routes;
	80 Desiro carriages currently being delivered for use on Transpennine and West Midlands services;
	116 Electrostar carriages for use on the Thameslink route by May 2015;
	1,140 carriages for use on the Thameslink route from 2016; and
	866 IEP carriages for use on the Great Western and East Coast main lines from 2017.
	Other franchising authorities, such as Transport Scotland and Transport for London, are also involved in ordering new trains such as for Crossrail.

Rolling Stock

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has assessed the consequences for safety of introducing new rolling stock which is not configured to employ a conductor or guard.

Stephen Hammond: This is a matter for the train operator.

Thameslink Railway Line

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the Thameslink improvement programme on over-crowding on the Northern Line tube.

Stephen Hammond: The Thameslink programme is expected to relieve crowding on London Underground Services by reducing the need to interchange from rail onto underground services and providing more capacity between North London and South London and across Central London.
	The Northern Line is expected to benefit from this crowding relief particularly on the City branch between King's Cross/St Pancras and London Bridge, which will benefit from the enhanced Thameslink service, and on the Charing Cross branch which is expected to benefit from passengers from north of London choosing to interchange at Blackfriars in order to travel to the West End.

Thameslink Railway Line

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the accessibility of the Thameslink line for disabled people.

Stephen Hammond: There are 50 stations which are currently served by ‘Thameslink’ services—either between Bedford and Brighton or via the Wimbledon loop.
	Step free access from street to platform and between all platforms is available at 23 of these stations. A further station, Elstree and Borehamwood, is expected to be added to this total in July, funded by Access for All. When complete the new London Bridge station will also provide accessible routes to all platforms.
	These improvements will mean 50% of stations served by current ‘Thameslink’ services will have an accessible route from platform to street.

Thameslink Railway Line

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the effect of Thameslink on the local economy in London.

Stephen Hammond: In calculating the costs and benefits associated with the Thameslink programme, the Department for Transport has estimated that there are likely to be wider economic impacts of around £1.3 billion over the 60-year appraisal period. These are expected to be realised from agglomeration, increased and more productive employment and the taxation benefits of these. Although a figure does not exist for London only, most of these benefits are expected to arise from employment in London.

Thameslink Railway Line

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of passengers who will use the Thameslink service in 2015.

Stephen Hammond: The Department does not hold forecasts of the number of passengers who will use Thameslink services in 2015. However, it estimates that 71.6 million journeys will be made on Thameslink services in financial year 2015-16. This estimate includes an element of double-counting: because of the way journeys are recorded by rail industry systems, a single journey passing through London Blackfriars in either direction will score as two journeys, not one.

Transport for London

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions he and his officials have had with the Mayor of London and his officials about reductions in the Transport for London subsidy;
	(2)  what representations he has received from the Mayor of London and his officials about reductions in the Transport for London subsidy.

Stephen Hammond: Since the SR13 Transport for London (TFL) funding agreement was published last year, the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), has held regular meetings with the Mayor, and there has been frequent contact between Department for Transport and TFL officials. These discussions have often included reviewing the progress TFL has made towards delivering its Savings and Efficiencies Programme and the shared commitments outlined in the funding agreement.

West Coast Railway Line

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has held or his officials have held with Alstom (a) in respect of its decision to restructure its transport sector and (b) in respect of the future of Alstom West Coast Traincare.

Stephen Hammond: Alstom is a private sector company. There have been no discussions with Alstom in either respect.

CABINET OFFICE

Fire Services

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent discussions he has had on the use of public service mutuals in the provision of fire services.

Francis Maude: Supporting the creation and growth of public service mutuals is Government policy, so my Department continues to work with other Departments to explore options for this in a variety of public services, including fire and rescue. As was the case under previous Administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012

Matthew Offord: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the potential benefits for the social investment market of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012; and if he will make an assessment of the potential for local charities to deliver local authority services under the provisions of that Act.

Nick Hurd: A growing number of local councils are working innovatively with charities in response to the Social Value Act. In addition, the Government is pursuing a range of other reforms to make it easier for charities to deliver local authority services, such as reducing bureaucracy around procurement. As a result of this and our efforts to promote social investment, the UK social investment market is growing rapidly.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Matthew Offord: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how young people in Hendon constituency can participate in the Step Up To Serve programme;
	(2)  how young people in Hendon constituency can access the Youth Social Action Fund.

Nick Hurd: Step Up To Serve (SUTS) launched on 21 November 2013. It is led by HRH the Prince of Wales and aims to double the number of young people participating in youth social action by 2020.
	In support of SUTS, the Cabinet Office launched the Youth Social Action Fund (YSAF) in June, offering financial support to trial social action programmes initially in four geographic areas: Middlesbrough, Lancashire, Birmingham and Kent. However, young people in your constituency may wish to participate in the National Citizen Service (NCS). Further information can be found at:
	http://www.ncsyes.co.uk

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Bournemouth

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to visit Bournemouth.

Brandon Lewis: Ministers consider future visits on a regular basis and frequently travel around the country to discuss a range of issues. I would note that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), visited Bournemouth in August 2013 and the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Kris Hopkins), and I will separately be visiting Bournemouth early this year to look at housing for older people and local government transformation.

Council Tax Reduction Schemes: Birmingham

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people applied for hardship funding in Birmingham in the most recent year for which figures are available; what proportion of those people received such funding; and what the average amount was of such funding.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not collect information on any funding local authorities provide to help their citizens who find themselves in hardship.

Green Belt: Sutton Coldfield

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if his Department will take steps to ensure that alternatives to building on the Sutton Coldfield green belt have been fully explored by the Birmingham City Council Development Plan when submitted in 2014.

Nicholas Boles: holding answer 19 December 2013
	The green belt has a valuable role protecting against urban sprawl and providing a green lung round our towns and cities.
	The National Planning Policy Framework, which maintains national green belt protection, explains that the green belt serves to:
	check unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;
	prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another;
	assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;
	preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and
	assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.
	Local authorities should plan to meet their objectively assessed development needs, as far as is consistent with national policy as a whole. In doing so they should thoroughly explore all options for meeting needs, working with neighbouring authorities constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis.
	Green belt boundaries can be revised only in exceptional circumstances through the Local Plan process.

Homelessness: Greater London

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the written answer of 27 November 2013, Official Report, column 334W, on homelessness: foreign nationals, how many and what proportion of households receiving assistance from local authorities in London under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1996 in 2012-13 were foreign nationals; and what the reasons were for their eligibility for such assistance, by nationality.

Kris Hopkins: I have placed a table setting out the requested information in the Library of the House.
	These figures—and almost a third of those households accepted as homeless in London are foreigners—endorse the need for strong controls on immigration and back up the Government's agenda of addressing the ‘pull’ factors that previously led to unsustainable impacts on this country.
	My Department's activities have included education campaigns led by the voluntary sector warning those coming here without appropriate support about the dangers of ending up destitute and sleeping rough.

Housing: Armed Forces

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what advice has been given to local authorities on accepting service families who have received a notice to vacate from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation; and whether information for divorcing families is included in any such advice.

Kris Hopkins: The Government take its responsibilities to service personnel and their families very seriously.
	DCLG wrote to local authorities reminding them that statutory homelessness guidance says they should not insist upon a court order for possession to establish that entitlement to occupy services accommodation has ended but instead should ensure that service personnel receive timely and comprehensive advice on the housing options available as soon as they receive a “Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement to Occupy Service Living Accommodation”.
	The homelessness legislation also affords a person who is vulnerable as a result of having been a member of Her Majesty's services priority need for accommodation.
	Last year we changed the law by regulation so that former personnel with urgent housing needs are always given 'additional preference' (high priority) for social housing; and councils are prevented from applying local connection requirements to disqualify members of the armed forces and those within five years of leaving the Services from their housing waiting list.
	We have issued new statutory allocations guidance which makes clear that, when adopting a residency test for social housing, we expect local authorities to consider the wider needs of the armed forces community, and to be sympathetic to changing family circumstances, recognising, for example, that the spouses and partners of Service personnel can also be disadvantaged by the need to move from base to base.

Housing: Overcrowding

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what proportion of residents of each local authority are currently living in over-crowded accommodation (a) in total, (b) in the social rented sector, (c) in the private rented sector and (d) in owner-occupied accommodation;
	(2)  which 100 local authority wards have the highest proportion of households living in over-crowded accommodation (a) in total, (b) in the social rented sector, (c) in the private rented sector and (d) in owner-occupied accommodation;
	(3)  which 100 local authority wards had the largest percentage increase in over-crowding in the (a) private and (b) social rented sectors between 2001 and 2011.

Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her on 10 October 2013, Official Report, column 393W.

Sleeping Rough

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what provisions have been made for homeless rough sleepers over the Christmas period; and what estimate he has made of the change in the numbers of rough sleepers since Christmas 2012.

Kris Hopkins: We are providing £470 million over the current spending review to help prevent homelessness and tackle rough sleeping. Local authorities and homelessness charities have services in place to help rough sleepers throughout the year. Special arrangements are made during periods of severe cold weather, such as can happen over Christmas, to bring rough sleepers in off the streets.
	We have introduced the Streetlink digital service and national telephone line so that members of the public concerned someone is sleeping rough can get them the help they need. We are promoting the national roll out of No Second Night Out so rough sleepers can be helped off the streets quickly.
	The 2013 rough sleeping statistics will be published in February.

DEFENCE

Cycling

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Government's Cycle to Work scheme.

Anna Soubry: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor, the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois), on 25 February 2013, Official Report, column 18W, to the right hon. Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw). The position remains as it was then.

Military Bands

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel are members of military bands.

Anna Soubry: There are some 1,380 regular members of the armed forces who are military musicians in the established military bands of the three services.

Military Decorations: World War II

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when processing of the applications for the Arctic Star medal began; and how many such applications have been processed since that date.

Anna Soubry: The processing of applications for the Arctic Star began in February 2013 and the first medals were issued in March 2013. To date, some 6,240 medals have been issued to eligible veterans and widows.

Military Decorations: World War II

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current waiting time is for the processing of applications for the Arctic Star medal.

Anna Soubry: Due to the current volume of applications, priority is being given to those received from surviving veterans and widows. The current time taken to process applications from veterans is around two weeks, and it is anticipated that those already received from widows will be completed early this year. Applications received from other next of kin will be processed in strict date order, and are expected to be completed by April 2015.

Sovereignty: Scotland

Gordon Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the pro rata population adjusted cost of defence provision in Scotland in 2016-17; and what the Scottish Government estimate those costs will be for 2016-17 in an independent Scotland.

Andrew Murrison: Defence is organised, resourced and managed on a UK basis to provide high levels of protection and security for all parts of the UK and its citizens at home and abroad. Decisions on spending are based on meeting Defence requirements and ensuring value for money. The Defence budget is for the whole of the UK and is not apportioned on a regional basis. As part of the UK, Scotland benefits from the full range of UK Defence capabilities and activities funded by the Defence budget. The UK Government are confident that the Scottish people will vote to remain part of the United Kingdom and are not planning for an independent Scotland. In the event of a vote to leave the UK, it would be for the Scottish Government to determine the Defence budget for an independent Scottish state.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2013, Official Report, column 307W, on unmanned air vehicles, what steps he has taken to facilitate referral of remotely piloted aircraft weapon discharge reports to the ISAF Joint Incident Assessment Team. [R]

Andrew Murrison: UK armed forces fully comply with ISAF reporting procedures for all UK remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) missions in Afghanistan. Joint incident assessment teams are assembled on the orders of empowered ISAF commanders to investigate specific incidents or allegations. Once an investigation is complete the team is disbanded.

Veterans

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support he has provided to armed forces veterans since 2010.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence works with other Government Departments, the devolved Administrations and voluntary sector organisations to ensure that the needs and circumstances of armed forces veterans are understood and addressed.
	The Armed Forces Covenant underlines the Government's commitment to ensuring that all the members of the armed forces community, which includes families and veterans, receive the support and recognition they deserve. In December 2011, a Cabinet-level Committee was established to oversee the Covenant programme of work and ensure that momentum is maintained. The Committee works closely with the Covenant Reference Group, which brings together representatives from Government Departments, the Local Government Association, the devolved Administrations, service charities and the Families Federations to ensure that progress on the Covenant is maintained.
	The Government have enshrined the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant in legislation and instituted a statutory requirement to report each year to Parliament. I would refer the hon. Member to the 2013 Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report published on 16 December 2013, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House which, with the 2012 Annual Report, provides fuller details of the support provided.
	There is a wide range of support available to veterans including in the areas of civilian employment, health, housing, welfare and education. Particular initiatives since 2010 include implementation of all of the recommendations in respect of mental health for both service personnel and veterans contained in the "Fighting Fit" report by my hon. Friend the Minister for International Security Strategy (Dr Murrison). In addition substantial funding has been made available for national and community-based projects to support veterans with mental health problems.
	Other examples include:
	the launch of the Defence Discount Service in October 2012, which provides members of the armed forces community, including veterans, with discounts both online and on the high street;
	the introduction of a new Arctic Star Medal and a Bomber Command Clasp for eligible veterans as announced by the Prime Minister in December 2012; and
	the LIBOR Fund allocation of some £23 million to 46 projects in the last calendar year, primarily helping veterans across the UK.
	However, we are not complacent, and the Prime Minister has appointed Lord Ashcroft as the Veterans Transition Special Representative.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Burma

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the use of international law to challenge restrictions on the delivery of aid to internally displaced ethnic Kachin people.

Alan Duncan: The UK and others in the international community regularly press the Burmese Government to ensure that aid can reach those displaced by conflict in Kachin state, and we welcome and acknowledge some positive moves by the Government to allow some UN convoys to reach areas under Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) control. We continue to call on the Government to allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid, in line with international humanitarian law, and to implement the agreement signed with the KIO in May 2013 to ensure humanitarian access to all conflict-affected areas.

Burma

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she had with the Government of Burma about their expenditure on (a) health, (b) education and (c) defence.

Alan Duncan: DFID is providing support to Burma's peace process which includes initial work advising the Government on how to manage reforms in the security sector. DFID is also working with the World Bank on a public expenditure review which has a particular focus on assessing expenditure in the health and education sectors, and which will form the basis for discussions with Government.

Burma

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which civil society organisations in Burma that (a) overtly and publicly promote human rights and democracy and (b) document human rights abuses receive funding from her Department.

Alan Duncan: The DFID Burma bilateral programme is providing a total of just over £22 million directly to 21 civil society organisations in Burma in 2013-14, some of which are involved in promoting democracy and human rights. Civil society organisations in Burma also receive DFID funding through central and regional funding streams, some of which are involved in promoting democracy and human rights.

Burma

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which women's organisations in Burma that assist victims of sexual violence by the Burmese military receive funding from her Department.

Alan Duncan: Tackling violence against women is a high priority for the UK in Burma. In Kachin state, DFID is providing humanitarian assistance for over 40,000 internally displaced people, of whom 21,000 are female. This assistance includes shelter, food and in certain areas specific support for victims of conflict, including for women affected by sexual violence. In the Burmese refugee camps in Thailand we are providing support to victims of gender-based violence including outward referrals to specialist centres.
	We have agreed to provide funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for two specialists to further strengthen the response to gender-based violence in the conflict-affected areas of Rakhine and Kachin states. We continue to emphasise to the Burmese Government the need to protect all citizens and respect human rights, particularly for women, and the UK has recently approved two new projects to tackle this problem in Burma, under the Foreign Secretary's Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative.

Burma

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether she has made an assessment of the needs of demobilised child soldiers from the Burmese Army.

Alan Duncan: The Government of Burma signed an Action Plan with UNICEF in 2012 to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers by the Burmese military. In June 2013 the Government released a further 42 children from service in the armed forces. The UK provides central core funding to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) globally, which helps assess the needs of demobilised child soldiers. UNICEF provides rehabilitation, reintegration, family-tracing and other forms of support to former child soldiers in Burma. UNICEF also provides assistance to help the military protect, respect and promote the rights of children.

Central African Republic

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of recent attacks on women and children in Mboki and Bouali in the Central African Republic;
	(3)  what steps her Department is taking to protect children in the Central African Republic;
	(4)  what steps her Department is taking to tackle the spread of measles in the Central African Republic.

Lynne Featherstone: The humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic is deeply worrying. The UN estimates that the whole population has been affected by the conflict and that more than two million people are in immediate need of humanitarian assistance. The situation is complex and rapidly evolving, with security concerns continuing to make access for humanitarian agencies difficult. We are working closely with international partners and the UN to bring stability to the country, allowing aid to get to those who need it most.
	On 30 November the UK announced a further £10 million support package to help those worst affected by the humanitarian crisis. UK support will allow the Red Cross, UN and international aid agencies to dramatically step up their relief programmes, providing emergency health care, clean water and logistical support to hundreds of thousands of people, including vulnerable women and children. This support is in addition to the £5 million funding that the UK announced on 31 July.

Developing Countries: Sanitation

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether she will be representing the Government at the Sanitation and Water For All high level meeting in Washington DC on 11 April 2014.

Justine Greening: The Under-Secretary of State for International Development, the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone), plans to represent DFID at the 2014 Sanitation and Water For All (SWA) high level meeting.

Philippines

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to mitigate the increased risk of sexual exploitation and abuse of women and girls in the Philippines due to families in that country taking on additional debt.

Justine Greening: DFID is helping to prevent harm to vulnerable people in the Philippines, including women and girls at risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. Risks to women and girls are addressed at all levels of our response, and DFID's work with partners ensures that those providing services such as food, water and shelter do so in a way that safeguards women and children. During the recent High Level Event on Protecting Women and Girls in Emergencies, which was held just as the international response to Typhoon Haiyan was getting under way, the UK secured a commitment from other donors and agencies to prioritise the protection of women and girls in the global humanitarian response. In addition, I deployed two UK specialists in tackling violence against girls and women.

Philippines

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to facilitate the recovery of livelihoods in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.

Justine Greening: The UK is helping to re-establish livelihoods and agriculture following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines by supporting the purchase and distribution of seeds and fertiliser, as well as cash for work to help families and communities rebuild their lives. The UK is also providing the money and expertise needed to start the longer term recovery effort. The UK's support will help people to earn an income again, by providing rice seeds, restoring irrigation systems on farms, and re-establishing fisheries.
	Recovery of livelihoods is being made possible due to UK support for the provision of food, shelter, clean water and medicines to up to 800,000 victims of Typhoon Haiyan. This has included more than 20,000 shelter kits, 42,000 tarpaulins, 18,000 hygiene kits and 3,000 family tents. In addition the Philippines will receive up to £5 million from the UK for four cities to plan and invest in preparedness measures, such as early warning systems, and in resilient infrastructure which support physical improvements such as drainage, housing, flood protection, and waste water systems.

Philippines

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) emergency shelter is provided in central and eastern Visayas in the Philippines and (b) early recovery building materials are provided to areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Justine Greening: The information is as follows:
	(a) The UK is working in partnership with the United Nations, International Organisation for Migration, non-governmental organisations and the Red Cross to provide people in need with emergency shelter in areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan, including in central and eastern Visayas. Across the Philippines, DFID has provided more than 80,000 tarpaulins, 20,000 shelter kits and 3,500 tents and supported the work of partners to enable more than 350,000 people to be provided with emergency shelter.
	(b) The Government of the Philippines is leading the reconstruction process and announced its initial plans on 18 December. The UK has already committed £5 million to strengthen the resilience of four cities in the Philippines against natural disasters.

Syria

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effect of recent fighting in the Qalamoun area of Rif Dimashq in Syria on flows of refugees into Lebanon.

Justine Greening: Fighting in Qalamoun over the past month prompted the inflow of an additional 21,000 refugees into Lebanon. DFID-funded partners including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Children's Fund, Save the Children, International Medical Corps and the Norwegian Refugee Council were among the organisations that provided immediate food, shelter, non-food items and health assistance.

Syria

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to ensure that unregistered Syrian refugees in Lebanon are receiving assistance in coping with winter weather.

Justine Greening: DFID is providing specific funding relating to assisting refugees during winter to UN agencies and international non-governmental organisations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Save the Children and Oxfam. Our support to UNHCR will provide 28,900 households (144,500 individuals) with a monthly cash grant of US$100 for heating fuel over three months. Our funding to Save the Children will provide 3,000 households (15,000 individuals) with weatherproofing shelter kits for winter, while Oxfam will target more than 2,000 households (over 10,000 individuals) with winterisation kits (a stove, blankets and heating fuel). Both registered and unregistered refugees will receive assistance.